Happy Gilmour eager to step up to coaching

Dave Craven

LEE GILMOUR insists his new role as Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ assistant coach does not mean his long playing career is over just yet.

The ex-Great Britain second-row, who made his debut for Wigan Warriors in 1997, has been on loan from Castleford Tigers since May.

He has now signed a two-year deal to become Trinity head coach James Webster’s No 2, joining academy coach Stuart Dickens on the backroom staff.

But Gilmour, 36, said: “There’s the possibility of playing as well, in the first year.

“We will see how things go. We haven’t quite worked out how the role will be, but we will play that how it comes.

“At one point I spoke to James and he thought he might need me to play 10 or 15 games.

“A lot of it will probably depend on the squad and when it’s all done and dusted we will probably have a look at the roster and see how much training I need to do, but I will be doing a decent proportion of the pre-season to be in shape for the start of the year.”

Gilmour, who has won Super League, Challenge Cup finals and the World Club Challenge throughout a career encompassing spells with Bradford Bulls, St Helens and Huddersfield Giants, has played 11 games for Wakefield so far.

He will feature at Castleford on Sunday, too, as he looks to dent his former club’s hopes of finishing second. But, ultimately, he sees his future in coaching.

“I coached Shaw Cross, my local amateur club, for about seven years and, as a player, I’ve been under some quality coaches – Nathan Brown and Daniel Anderson in particular,” said Gilmour, who has missed much of the last 18 months with injuries.

“I think I have learned a lot and, hopefully, I can pass that on.

“For 2015, I think things are looking good. With myself, Webbo and Stuart all having played in different positions, it gives us a good perspective. I’m pretty excited about next year and, hopefully, we can push into the top eight.”

Webster added: “I’ve been really pleased with what Lee has offered us. His insight into the game has been really good. His depth of knowledge and the ideas he has are fantastic.

“He has been taught by some great players and coaches. I think you’d find it hard to find a more experienced player still playing.”

Wakefield will be without captain Danny Kirmond for the rest of the season as he undergoes surgery on both hands and a knee.

Bradford Bulls’ utility player Matty Blythe, 25, has turned down a Super League club to sign a new two-year deal with the relegated Odsal outfit.